164 DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED BIRDS 
Morbid anatomy. In the normal fowl, on post-mortem examina- 
tion, the lungs are found deflated, fairly compact and closely applied 
to the ribs. They occupy less volume relatively, than is the case in 
other animals. This is, no doubt, due to the peculiar respiratory 
system of birds which has, in addition to the lungs, a number of air 
sacs in the pleural and abdominal cavities, and also air canals in 
the larger bones. In a pneumonic condition the lungs are distended, 
darkened and solidified to a greater or less degree, approaching the 
condition known as red hepatization or liver consistency. They will 
sink in water, while normal or simply congested lungs will float. 
The pneumonie lung stands out in a firm position surrounding the 
heart and may be found adhering to the pericardial sac. There are 
usually no visible areas of necrosis, but the bronchioles and larger air 
tubes are filled with an emphysematous mucous discharge. 
Treatment. Owing to the fact that pneumonia is induced by the 
presence of organisms in the lung tissues, and that these cannot be 
reached by disinfectants which would not destroy the sensitive mem- 
branes of the air cells, treatment has been found futile in most cases. 
During the early stages, or in milder cases, stimulants such as strych- 
nine in doses of %o to %o gr., or 50 per cent alcohol in quantities 
of % dram may be given by way of the mouth. Because of the 
dense breast muscles, local external applications are. not indicated. 
The patient should be placed in quarters where the temperature ap- 
proximates 70° F. and soft mashes, or sweet or buttermilk given as 
a food. Since the disease is sporadic in a flock, no special prevent- 
ive measures are necessary to guard against its spread. 
DISEASES OF THE OVIDUCT 
INFLAMMATION OF THE OVIDUCT 
The oviduct may be highly congested or inflamed as a result of the 
condition known as “egg bound,” prolapse, or the presence of ac- 
cumulated egg material which has been arrested by a tumor forma- 
tion in the wall of the oviduct. Organisms which gain access to 
the oviduct find a favorable medium for development in such ma- 
terial. They give rise to decomposition products which irritate the 
mucosa of the organ and set up an inflammatory condition. Broken 
eggs in the oviduct or excessive effort in laying may lead to inflam- 
mation. The oviduct may become affected through the spread of 
inflammation from the ovary or other adjacent organ or it may be 
involved with other organs in certain generalized diseases. 
